August 13, 2015: Tanya's Trip to Puerto Rico and the Southern Caribbean - Day 6

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: ST. LUCIA

St. Lucia Today!

Greetings from St. Lucia & Happy Thursday to you!

It's TBT (Throwback Thursday) & it's my week to share a blast from the past story with you... 

This week I'm sharing a story about How to avoid having issues Crossing the Border into Vancouver, Canada.


Click HERE to read all about it!

So before I get on with today, I'm gonna tell you a bit about yesterday's scoop from Barbados...

Let me start off by telling you that before getting to the island that I read somewhere that the island was like a mini England - so being that I've never been before, that was the image that I expected...let me clarify something for you right here and now....Barbardos is NOTHING like England. NOTHING.

Dave and I took a lovely tour around the island and learned a few things:

One thing won't find here on the island are any Starbucks or many other U.S. Franchises; in fact the one and only McDonald's that was here only lasted 6 months!

While famed for their Sugarcane plantations, landscape paintings and cricket matches (the game - not the insect).

Until the 1980's the island was producing 130,000 tons of sugar for export per year.
Keep in mind that the island is 166 square miles and that was 60% of the island being used to sugar cane (which was originally brought over from the Dutch).

There are 1,600 Rum shoppes = bars & 1,600 churches in Barbados

Barbados is built on coral stone, and is called 'The Rock' and this is the main reason why the drinking water is so pure on this island.

Keep in mind when behind the wheel that if you splash anybody from perhaps driving into a puddle, and they take your registration, you will be prosecuted!

While on tour, we were also lucky and got to see some adorable Green Monkeys and even one mother carrying her baby on her back! Awwww it was sooooo cute!
But they were camera shy and too fast for my picture taking ways.

Take note that there is an important dress code in Barbados - it is ILLEGAL to wear ANY military type clothing, camouflage shirts, pants, backpacks etc.. This dress code is enforced and any violations may result in actions from the local Police. - Good thing I left my camos at home!

We spent a few hours at the white sanded, Aqua watered beach Copacabana beach, Dave enjoyed wading in the water, while I enjoyed staying the shade and the cooling sea breeze.

I'm not much of a fan of hanging out in the water, baking in the sun, surrounded by a bunch of weirdos and risking having something unknown brush up against my skin. Hell No!
I'd much rather people watch and grab a couple of laughs!

And now as for today...
We will be continuing to tour the Windward islands in the Caribbean and touring the island of St. Lucia.

With a mix of must-see attractions and cultural experiences of the island, including a visit to the Roseau Valley Banana Plantation - the largest banana plantation in St. Lucia, we will be given some insight into the cultivation and production of this crop.

Also as a highlight, we will be captivated by the spectacular wonder of the majestic Piton Mountains, dramatically rising 2600 feet above sea!
These unique cone shaped volcanic peaks have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are St. Lucia's most famous landmark!

Here are the 
Top 15 Facts 
about St Lucia!

1. St Lucia was first colonized successfully by the French who signed a treaty with the native Carib people in 1660.
2. Christopher Columbus did not, in fact, discover this island. While it is true that the island was along the route this world-famous explorer sailed, it is not credited to him. It was not until 1550 that Francois le Clerc made his settlement at Pigeon Island.
3. St. Lucia is really 2 islands in one! Pigeon island (former island) was joined to the mainland in the 1970's when a sandy causeway was constructed.
4. St Lucia is a volcanic island which is more mountainous than many other Caribbean islands, with the highest point being Mount Gimie, at 3,120 ft above sea level.
5. Castries is the Capital.
6. Approximate population is 181,000
7. Gained independence from Britain in 1979. 
8. The official language is English, others used are Saint Lucian Creole French or Patois.
9. The national dish of Saint Lucia is Green Banana and Saltfish.
10. Located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 238.23 sq mi.
11. St Lucia is the second largest of the Windward Islands located in the eastern Caribbean Sea.
12. It used to be known as the Island of the Iguanas by the earliest settlers, the Amerindian Arawak and Carib people.
13. Despite a population of only 181,000, Saint Lucians have won two Nobel Prizes: Arthur Lewis (economics) and Derek Walcott (literature).
14. Only the Faroe Islands (one Nobel among 49,000 people) has a higher rate of Nobel Prizes. 
15. St. Lucia is home to one of the most remarkable distilleries, Roseau Valley, which is famous for producing more than 21 types of rum to sample or purchase. Located on Rodney Bay, it has stood in this location for decades.

Don't forget to come back and visit tomorrow, when I'll be coming at you from St. Kitts!

See ya guys soon,
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: SEPTEMBER

Horseback Riding Today & Yesteryear

A BIG HELLO! From West Hampton this morning and back in Nassau this afternoon!  

Selfie time for me and Kelsey at the barn

I'm just back and forth!  But, I don't mind it. 
When the sun is shining, I don't mind just about anything!

After the torrential downpours on Tuesday, I'm just happy to have the nice weather back!

Today, I'll be meeting my friend Abby for lunch.  Looking forward to some good Greek food in Queens!! The rest of my day is not very exciting.

I'm hoping to get a manicure in prior to going for lunch - we'll see how industrious I am this morning and whether I can get on the road early enough to have time for some nail pampering!

Well, today is Throwback Thursday and do I have a few photos from 2012 - from my family trip to Ireland when Gianna and Kelsey went horseback riding for the very first time!  

GIANNA (8) & KELSEY'S (5) FIRST TIME EVER HORSEBACK RIDING (AUGUST 2012)

My baby on a horse for the first time - August 2012

Gianna - first horse ride ever - August 2012

Yesterday, I spent much of the afternoon at the barn, while the kids rode.  I hadn't hung out there in a while and decided (with their urging!) to sit in the arena and watch them ride.

Kelsey getting Buddy ready to ride

walking into the arena

off we go

Kelsey did a amazing yesterday!  She is jumping the  cross rails now and yesterday she jumped while cantering. No small feat!  Very proud of her.

As for Gianna, she has not been on a horse in months due to hurting her back after a flop in gym in school this past school year.

She went back yesterday, suited ups with her new boots and chaps and she is doing wonderfully!! No jumping yet, as she has to master some of the basics over the course of this week.  But, I'm sure she will be back to where she was "skill-wise" in no time.

Gianna getting All-Star ready to ride

entering the arena

She's off

I was quite productive yesterday with organizing some New York City "Day Tour Trips."  

First, I planned an entire day in September day to visit and pay my respects to the 911 Memorials including a visit to One World Observatory in the Freedom Tower; The 911 Tribute Center and the September 11 Memorial & Museum.

I opted for the Day Flex Ticket for the Observatory, because it is good for any time on the day for which I purchased the ticket.  I didn't want to pin myself down to a specific time.  This particular ticket was not cheap - $65!!

CLICK HERE for the official One World Observatory site and a great video about taking an elevator ride all the way to the top in 60 seconds.

As far as the 911 Tribute Center goes, I found a good deal on Amazon Local for 2 tickets for $15, which I thought was a good deal.

I'll be headed into Manhattan on September 22nd, so you can best believe I'll be featuring these NYC tourist sites on September 23rd, which happens to be a W2GW!!

Freedom Tower

Next, I purchased another deal on Amazon Local for a self-guided tour of Grand Central Station.  This deal was even sweeter - 
$9 for two!! 

This little jaunt (which, will, of course, include some "grub" at one of the restaurants in Grand Central!) is on the calendar for October 5th.

Grand Central Station, New York City (credit: en.wikipedia.org)

Well, that's my story for today!  Wishin' you a good one!!

-E
xoxo